Among the highlights: the new labels would replace out-of-date
serving sizes, highlight calorie content and draw attention to
"added sugars."

First Lady Michelle Obama said Thursday that America's families
will benefit from the proposed label makeover, which the FDA first
unveiled last month.

"Our guiding principle here is very simple: that you as a parent and a consumer should be able to walk into your local grocery store, pick up an item off the shelf, and be able to tell whether it's good for your family," Obama said in an FDA news release. "So this is a big deal, and it's going to make a big difference for families all across this country."

Nutrition labeling was introduced two decades ago, and the FDA
says the science and recommendations behind food labeling has
changed since then. The proposed revisions take into account
current knowledge of the link between diet and chronic diseases
such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

"By revamping the Nutrition Facts label, FDA wants to make it easier than ever for consumers to make better informed food choices that will support a healthy diet," Michael Taylor, the FDA's deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, said in the news release.

Highlights of the proposal include:

Calorie content and serving sizes would be featured more
prominently to help address obesity, "one of the most important
public health problems facing our country," Taylor said. "What and
how much people eat and drink has changed since the serving sizes
were first put in place in 1994," the agency said. Also, foods that
can be consumed in one sitting would feature calorie and nutrition
information for the whole package.

Labels would need to show the amount of "added sugars" in a
food product to help people distinguish between the natural sugars
found in fruit and milk, for instance, and sugars added
arbitrarily. Americans consume too much sugar and need to reduce
their intake, according to 2010 Dietary Guidelines for
Americans.

Potassium and vitamin D -- nutrients that help ward off high
blood pressure and bone loss, respectively -- would be listed on
labels. Food makers could also include vitamins A and C, but they
will no longer have to.

"Daily values" for various nutrients such as salt, dietary fiber and vitamin D would be revised. These values are used to calculate the "Percent Daily Value" on the label, which helps consumers understand the nutrition information in the context of a total daily diet, the FDA said.

"Total Fat," "Saturated Fat" and "Trans Fat" would remain on labels, but not "Calories from Fat." It's now known the type of fat is more important than the amount.

Obesity experts welcomed the proposed update.

"Today is a big win for consumers," said Dr. Glenna McCollum, president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a registered dietitian. "The changes announced today are long overdue. There has been so much new research about consumers' use of food labels, chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and how specific nutrients affect our health."

"Meanwhile, the Nutrition Facts panel is more than 20 years old and does not reflect the current food environment or recent scientific research. Consumers want information they can use to make healthful choices," she added.

Chris Ochner, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Mount
Sinai Hospital in New York City, said the expected emphasis on
calories and realistic serving sizes are sorely needed changes.

"Bar none, the number of calories is the most important thing an individual can pay attention to when it comes to their diet," he said.

Americans have become increasingly health conscious, and listing
realistic serving sizes will help them practice good nutrition,
Ochner added. Currently, manufacturers can list nutrition facts for
serving sizes much smaller than people typically consume, he
said.

"For example, a 20-ounce bottle of soda contains 2.5 servings even though individuals typically consume them in one sitting. Until now, they would only be provided with nutrition information for less than half of what they typically consumed," Ochner explained.

The addition of "added sugar" to food labels should help people
realize just how much sugar they consume, he said. The recommended
daily allowance of sugar for women is 6 teaspoons, he said, noting
a 12-ounce can of regular soda contains 8 teaspoons of added
sugar.

The FDA will accept public comment on the proposed revisions for
90 days. It is not known when the new labeling law would take
effect, if approved.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.